Antelope County, Nebraska: History
Antelope county was created on March 1, 1871 and organized on June 15, 1871. Named for the pronghorn antelopes that roamed the region. The first known settler in the area was George St. Clair, known as "Ponca George," who made a claim in 1868. The county's initial settlement was slow due in part to popular views of Great American Desert as unsuitable for farming without significant effort in land reclamation. It received its name after a group of early settlers killed and ate several pronghorn. Although these are not true antelope, they are colloquially known by that name.
The growth of Antelope County was significantly influenced by the construction of railroads through the area. The Sioux City and Nebraska Railroad reached Neligh in 1879, which was then designated as the county seat. This connection to broader markets spurred agricultural development. Wheat, oats, and later corn became staple crops, and the county saw an influx of settlers after the railroad's arrival.